A bill introduced in June that would make cockfighting a fifth-degree felony, instead of a fourth-degree misdemeanor, is now being discussed by the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee.

Rep. Tim Derickson of Butler County introduced House Bill 260 and testified last week that charges would be brought only when officers find fighting roosters and admission fees, weapons, wagering or children.

"Cockfighting has no redeemable social value and is solely for the entertainment and gambling desires of the spectators," he said. "It tends to be exceedingly profitable and the monetary benefit of cockfighting far outweighs the current penalties associated with this crime."

Any cash seized by law enforcers during cockfighting arrests would help pay for the costs of rehabilitating or euthanizing the birds.

Derickson said the bill has support from the Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Farm Bureau and Buckeye State Sheriff's Association.

Cockfighting is a felony in 39 states, including all of the other Great Lakes states.

Katherine BoydMore than 30 skunks took part in the 2011 Skunk Fest beauty pageant in North Ridgeville, including the 2010 costume contest winner Penelope.

SkunksThink of Valentine's Day as the beginning of mating season for skunks, who remain amorous through March. And with skunk romance comes that unpleasant odor. It's a female skunk's way of warding off unwanted suitors, says the Humane Society of the United States, and dogs who don't heed a skunk's warnings - foot stomping and raised tail. Deodorize skunked dogs with a mixture of a quart of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup baking soda and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Wipe down the dog, rinse and shampoo him. Pungent odor aside, skunks are beneficial; the near-sighted foragers eat garden pests. Learn more about back yard wildlife at humanesociety.org/wildneighbors.

Berea ARFThe Berea Animal Rescue Friends' three-hour Soup-R-Bowl event Jan. 28 attracted more than 930 people, including Dick Goddard and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Last year, more than 880 people attended to support the group that found homes for 297 dogs and 637 cats.

Tacos for pound dogs For the Dogs Rescue hosts a tacos and tequila event from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Crystal's Keg, 7936 Sprague Road, North Royalton. Admission is $20 for Mexican cuisine, beer and well drinks. Homemade dog beds will be raffled. Funds help dogs rescued from foreclosed homes and county pounds. Details: 216-816-6646, forthedogs_renee@yahoo.com.

$6 cat neuters PetFix Northeast Ohio and the Rainbow Veterinary Clinic in Cleveland Heights will neuter 100 cats for $6 each Saturday, Feb. 25. Every cat will also get a rabies shot. Owners must show proof of low income. Kittens must be eight weeks old or weigh at least 2 pounds. Appointments for female cats have been filled, but time is available for male cats. Make an appointment by emailing fixemnow@aol.com or call 216-536-0930.

Veteran's Best FriendGlen Schofield, of Middleburg Heights, is a veteran of the Iraq war and gets assistance from Turbo, who was rescued by A New Leash on Life, then adopted and trained by Veteran's Best Friend.

Animal research in Cleveland Activists protest the use of animals in laboratory research from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, outside the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute at Carnegie Avenue and East 100th Street. Last year, the institute did research on 25 primates, 115 dogs, 17 sheep, 240 pigs, nine calves, 177 rabbits and 351 hamsters, according to the USDA. Details: meetup.com/animalrights-190, ellieleonin@aol.com.

Dogs for veteransVeteran's Best Friend hosts meetings from 1 to 3 p.m. the fourth Sunday of each month, beginning Feb. 26 and ending July 22, to explain its service dog program, which pairs trained dogs with military veterans recovering from mental disorders. People interested in donating to the nonprofit group or fostering dogs that will be trained to assist veterans should also attend. Details: veteransbestfriend.org, 216-299-9694.

Enriched dog day careOhio Air Dogs offers dog enrichment on Mondays and Fridays beginning Monday, Feb. 27, at 13688 York Road, North Royalton. Up to five dogs will play scent games, swim, receive an hour of training and learn a new trick for $50 each a day. Details: ohioairdogs.com.

Children's contestGeauga Humane Society hosts a Me and My Pet contest for children ages 5 through 9. The best drawings or 50-words-or-less essays or poems about loving real or imagined pets win prizes. Entries due by Wednesday, Feb. 29. Call 440-338-4819, ext. 20, for details.

Cat spays in Medina The Quick Fix Clinic at 930 Lafayette Road received a grant from PetSmart Charities to offer Beat the Heat cat spays this month for $20 each. Call 330-558-1540 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and mention "beat the heat" to make an appointment. Appointments are not needed for low-cost vaccinations and worm and flea treatments between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays. Details: quickfixmedina.org.

Cat spays in Akron One of a Kind Pet Spay & Neuter Clinic at 1700 W. Exchange St. received a grant from PetSmart Charities to offer Beat the Heat cat spays this month for $20 each. Mention "beat the heat" when calling 330-865-6890 for an appointment.

Hockey pups Dogs are invited to the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game Sunday, March 4. The Cleveland Animal Protective League and Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio get part of the ticket proceeds. The first 250 dogs receive a gift. Order tickets, $15 a person and $5 a dog, at groups.theqarena.com/PAWS or call 216-402-1106.

Wildlife conference Overlooked wildlife will be the focus of an Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Wednesday, March 7, at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus. There will be presentations on earthworms, freshwater mussel restoration, invasive aquatic species, a Lake Erie pelagic bird survey, crayfish, orphaned wildlife, wetland restoration, beavers, porcupines and fishers. Preregister for $25 at bit.ly/WildlifeDiversityConference or call 1-800-945-3543 (1-800-WILDLIFE). About 975 people attended last year's conference.

Great Danes in Westlake Members of Harlequin Haven Great Dane will introduce people to their gentle giants from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Pet Supplies Plus, 30034 Detroit Road. The group has two dozen Danes in Bethel, Ohio, that need homes: ohiodanerescue.com.

Berea ARF Berea Animal Rescue Friends seeks shelter volunteers and foster homes, especially for cats recovering from injuries and for kittens. Learn more at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Middleburg Heights Library, 15600 E. Bagley Road; email vounteer@bereaanimalrescue.com or call 440-234-2034. The group is registered to receive donations from the online shopping websites adoptashelter.com and Igive.com.

Lobbying in Columbus The Ohio Companion Animal Lobby event this year runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Ohio Statehouse. Advocates will have lunch with legislators and push for stricter laws involving animal cruelty, puppy mills, dog auctions, kennels, assaults against animal control and humane officers and bestiality. Register for $15 at ohiocompanionanimallobbyday.com.

Animal rescue Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue hosts an animal rescue seminar Saturday, March 31, at the Galaxy Restaurant in Wadsworth. Topics include public-private rescue partnerships, cat rescue and veterinary care. Sponsors and groups wishing to set up displays should email head12crows@yahoo.com or call 330-725-1393. Details: www.lakeerielabrescue.org and on Facebook.

Geauga dogs Totally Dogs 4H Club and Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich will host a dinner and silent auction for the county dog shelter and sheriff's police dogs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Chardon United Methodist Church, 515 North St. West Geauga High School students are making dog dishes for the auction. Call 440-285-0779 or 440-286-4329 for tickets, $25 for salmon, $20 for chicken, or to donate auction items. The shelter, which cared for 700 dogs last year, needs donations of dog food and toys. Last year's event brought in $4,000 that was spent on veterinary care and obedience training, Gingerich said.

$1,000 raffle for cats Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary is again raffling $1,000. Tickets at carolineskids.org are $5 each or six for $25 for the Friday, April 27, drawing at the shelter, 7394 Morley Road, Concord Township. The last $1,000 raffle netted $3,215 for the care of 250 cats. The group also hosts a Polka for Pussycats event from 6 to 11 p.m. April 14 at the Kirtlander Party Center, 9270 Chillicothe Road, featuring sideboards, a cake walk, German food and music by Ralph Szubski, the Accordion Man. Tickets are $42; call 440-449-3496.

Wildlife photo contest The fourth annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp photography contest features the black-capped and Carolina chickadees. The two species look nearly identical, but black-capped chickadees live in the northern third of the state, while Carolina chickadees populate the rest, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Entries are due Aug. 13-31. The winning photographer will receive $500, and the image will become the 2013 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. Details: wildohiostamp.com. Last year's winning image was selected from 58 photos of salamanders and became the 2012 stamp, available March 1 for $15 each. Wildlife Legacy Stamp sales have raised more than $45,000 for the preservation of wildlife diversity.

Feral cats Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project volunteers in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood have captured more than 640 cats and kittens since April 2009. Most were taken to the Cleveland Animal Protective League for adoption. More than 100 feral cats were vaccinated, neutered and returned to small shelters, where they're fed daily. More volunteers and donations are needed to continue the progress. Contact the group at ebfcp.org or 216-470-4125.

Low-cost neuters Valley Save-A-Pet and more than 20 veterinarians in Greater Cleveland again are offering low-cost sterilization of pets to low-income owners. Schedule an appointment by calling 440-232-2287 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. More than 900 feral cats and 500 owned pets were neutered last year through the Have a Heart program that began 27 years ago.

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